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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 20 mi (32.2 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +350/ -351 ft
Total: 30 riders
Mountain Biking Casa Grande Mountain
#75 of 417 mountain bike trails in Arizona
There are easy trails by the starting point but they are not the main trail. It climbs the mountain side and heads south along the range. Jumping Cholla is a common plant here and the terrain is very sharp rock, padding suggested. No shade. The main loop is 13 miles but it has upper and lower parallel trails, the upper usually being more tech.
New trails are being built so the mileage and routes will increase.
First added by abegold on Dec 27, 2010. Last updated Apr 28, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Interstate 10 take Jimmy Kerr exit #198 and head west to Peart St. Turn south and within 2 miles it will cross under Interstate 8 and turn east and south again. When the road begins to climb, park. Ride east 1/4 mile and the trailhead is on the hillside to the south on the east face of the mountain.
This is a good trail for a novice-intermediate rider to develop some rock handling skills. If you come to this trail, you will develop some confidence in tackling rocks (especially on the down slopes). About 30 percent of the trail had loose sharp rock, grapefruit to cantelope sized, lumped together. I'm a fat old guy on a single speed, and this trail had me wishing for more gears because the rocks were momentum killers on the uphill, I "hiked" about 20% of the trail.
Slime and puncture resistant tires are a must. I've got Maxxis Hookworms, which are not ideal for traction on this kind of trail, but are pretty much bullet proof. I expect the rocks here would be unkind to many a knobbie on an aggressive tire.
| ThankI rode this trail in Feb 2016 and found it to be what I had read about it. As a beginner it was a good challenge for me with a lot of rock gardens to ride. I think even advanced riders could enjoy this trail system. Just add speed. A lot of the trails had loose rock on them which added a level of caution to my speed selection as the price of a mistake could lead to a hard fall, not to mention the cactus which is abundant . I did find navigation a bit of a challenge as there are a lot of unmarked intersections which caused me to go off trail a few times.You wont get lost as observation of your general location is quite easy.Overall a good time and a great place to learn.
| ThankNot too bad but pretty rocky, had a good time
| Thankfun trail rocky with good climbs. Nothing to difficult. just rocky.
| ThankGreat singletrack trail system!
| ThankThe main trailhead off Arica Road at Exit 200 on I-10 is a great access point. Some trails are still not finished (as of April 2012) esp. on East Butte. Watch for rattlesnakes. Did a 10 mile loop on the Ridge Trail which is very nice and most of it is newly constructed. No shade and no water at the trailhead but a great bike park.
| ThankThis system has a new trail, the Ridge Trail which runs below the top ridge of the mountain on it's east side. There is also a new singletrack from the parking lot and new parking lot farther east down the dirt road paralleling I-8.
| ThankThe new trail is smoother and less tech than the older trails but climbs and descends many times in the loop giving it a fun flow. * Review edited New access from I-10. South from interstate on Sunland Gin and west on Arica to parking.
Best tool for cholla cactus is a comb.
1/8/2012
Very well designed single track off the beaten path. Tight and twisty with a few moderately technical sections to keep it interesting. Beautiful low desert mountain range with lots of Cholla cactus that is uncomfortably close to the trail in many spots. I have personal experience with being impaled by clumps of the stuff including some being flung into my backside from the trail. Bring tweezers, pliers etc., and wear some protective gear if you have any. Use sealant or slime tubes. Lots of sharp rock in sections of the trail, I lost three tires there last year due to sidewall cuts. With that said it is really not that bad as long as you keep your speed in check. Stay right on the trail for a sweet loop ride along the hillsides.
| ThankUsually ride here once or twice a year. Great trail system typical of the area, mostly intermediate with a few more interesting spots. Lots of cactus, large and small. All very sharp.
* Review edited 3/3/2011
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